Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight. I've completed my second vamp story...finally.

Thanks to my wonderful betas, Chloe Cougar and Squeaky Zorro, for all their help and encouragement. This little short story that grew...and grew...wouldn't have been the same without you. I ended up rewriting this chapter quite a bit, as I wasn't satisfied with it. Sorry I've messed up the betaing.

My apologies for posting this chapter a couple of days later than promised. I had to do a sleep study test which was quite an experience. Trying to sleep while trussed up like a cross between a Christmas turkey and an astronaut was a little challenging, but the doctors think my snoring (like a lawnmower in a tin shed, hubby tells me) could be contributing to my fatigue and breathlessness. Here's hoping I'll get some answers soon. Thanks for all the best wishes.

I hope you enjoy the last chapter of Hunted in Seattle.

Words: 3120

Chapter 37

Sharing

BPOV

Edward's and my engagement was just the antidote to the stress, fear, and violence that we all needed. Their reaction wasn't exactly unexpected, but I was still relieved when my parents took the news that we wanted to get married on my birthday calmly. They didn't even mention my age. Meeting with us at the Cullens' house to discuss the aftermath of the battle, they'd both made note of the big bed that now graced Edward's and my room. They'd both suspected it, but the confirmation that Edward and I were essentially living together may have affected their responses a little.

"Not much point waiting to marry since you're not going to get any older or change your minds," Charlie gruffly acknowledged after giving me a hug and shaking Edward's hand.

Renee surprised me with her enthusiastic and teary response, as it went against everything she'd ever warned me about marrying young.

"Oh, sweetie," she gushed, when I questioned whether she was really okay with it. "The normal rules don't exactly apply anymore. You're going to make a beautiful bride, and I know this young man is going to make you happy. In fact, he already is. I can tell," she added with a wink.

Not for the first time, I was grateful I could no longer blush.

"There's no time to waste," Alice insisted, ushering us into the dining room which had been converted into a mini bridal fair. "We've only got three months, which actually gives me the exact amount of time I need as my visions show the day turning out perfectly."

Shaking my head, I decided to take her word for it and try not to stress too much as Edward and I were swept along for the ride. The decision had been made, and I didn't regret it.

I would be eighteen...sort of...and the wedding would be legal...kind of...officiated by a minister friend of Carlisle's from out of town. Edward's papers were all doctored, of course, but mine were the originals, and we were getting married.

At first I thought we'd only have our immediate families present, but Charlie had naturally wanted to invite his best friends, Billy and Harry. While he'd not received too much criticism over his daughter's supposed rebellion, it had been difficult for him to have to listen to various townsfolk commiserating with him over my running off to New York in such a reckless and hurtful manner...putting him through hell. At least this way, the people that mattered to him the most, and who also knew the truth, could share in our special day.

Billy's and Harry's families were aware that the Cullens were the "cold ones" of their legends. They weren't supposed to find out, but the day of our battle with my attackers, the secret had been revealed. Curious as to why Charlie, Renee, and Phil were staying at Billy's, they'd come to investigate and witnessed Paul phasing in the front yard when he'd gotten spooked. He was still in the dog-house with Sam over it, but personally, I thought it made sense for the others to know. Billy's son, Jacob, would phase soon, and it was expected that Harry's boy, Seth, would follow soon after. I couldn't imagine going through something so fundamentally and terrifyingly life changing without any preparation or understanding of what was going on beforehand...actually, I could. Becoming a vampire would have been a lot easier if I'd known what to expect. The young Quileute boys didn't get a say, their genes and our presence making the decision for them. But at least they wouldn't be going in blind.

"Shouldn't we move away so that no more of the Quileute teenagers phase?" I asked when that aspect of the process was explained to us by Sam.

"It's too late for that." He shrugged his massive shoulders. "The Cullens moving back here a couple of years ago set the wheels in motion."

"We won't return to Forks in future so as not to trigger the same response again," Carlisle offered along with a sincere apology.

"Hey, I love being a wolf," Paul mumbled, hoeing into the mountain of steaks and burgers that Esme and I had cooked up for them on our newly acquired barbeque. "Don't apologize on my behalf. Besides, there are plenty of nomadic vampires that seem to like the Peninsula. You guys might be harmless to humans, but we're still needed to keep the tribe safe."

After working together to defeat a common enemy, our relationship with the wolves had never been in such great shape. I doubted we'd ever be completely comfortable around the creatures that were capable of tearing us limb from limb, or them around us—the smell alone making our spending time together a challenge—but we definitely counted them as friends. Edward and I extended the invitation to them to attend our wedding personally, glad when they accepted.

Consequently, our wedding guests would be an interesting combination of vampire, human, and shape-shifter. Billy and Harry were invited of course, along with Harry's wife, Sue, and their children, Leah and Seth, and Billy's son Jacob, who I vaguely recalled playing with as a child. Sam, his fiancé Emily, Jared, with his imprint Kim, and Paul would make up my parents' side of the aisle.

The Cullens invited their Denali cousins, a fact that filled me with far more trepidation than knowing that three of our guests could morph into gigantic wolves if they so desired. Emmett, the perpetual tease, couldn't resist telling me about Tanya's longstanding crush on Edward and the interesting methods she'd employed to try and convince him to have a relationship with her over the years. Learning that Tanya and her sisters were the actual succubi of legend, and then meeting them a few days before the wedding and discovering they were all insanely beautiful, hadn't exactly helped.

"You know I only have and will only ever have eyes for you," Edward assured me repeatedly when I couldn't quite hide my concern.

"But they're all so stunning...and the way she looks at you...and the things Emmett said..."

Edward growled, grabbed my hand, and dragged me with him both deep into the forest. Once we were far from prying eyes and ears, he set out proving to me, once and for all and in a particularly satisfying manner, that I had nothing to fear.

Much later, lying naked and tangled in Edward's limbs, thoroughly sated and as close to exhausted as it is possible for vampires to be, I apologized for doubting him.

"It's not me you're doubting, sweetheart," he surprised me by saying. "It's just some leftover insecurity from your human days."

"You think so?" I murmured, leaning up on my elbows to look down into his beautiful face, his sex-tousled hair irresistibly calling my fingers to play. No wonder Tanya had not given up even after Edward said he wasn't interested.

"You still don't see yourself clearly." He traced his finger along my jaw. "You're insanely beautiful, and I don't see anyone but you."

The words reminded me of his insanely romantic proposal.

"Isabella Swan. I promise to love you forever...ever single moment of forever. Will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?"

"Yes," I breathed, something I was eager to tell him again on our wedding day.

There'd been times leading up to it that I thought it would never arrive, that the planning and decision-making would go on forever. Spending the night before the wedding apart had been torture, but finally the day of Edward's and my marriage dawned...bright and clear and lovely.

"Ready?" Charlie asked when all the primping and fussing was behind us. I nodded, smiling to reassure him.

He was nervous. I could feel the slight tremor in his arm and detect the hint of fear in his scent...a scent that barely bothered me anymore. Whether the use of my talent to suppress my desire for human blood had become an ingrained part of me, or if it was just the passing of time, the only thing stopping me from integrating back into normal life was my eye color. Even that was barely an issue, the deep, fiery red of a newborn having faded to a dark, almost brownish maroon. The amber would come next, but if anything, my current color was probably closer to what my natural eye color had been.

The music began and Charlie straightened his spine, drawing in a deep breath. I was proud to be on his arm. He looked mighty fine in his tuxedo, and I had no doubt that Edward would find me beautiful in my satin and lace wedding gown. I'd insisted on making the final selection, even if Alice knew which one I'd eventually choose from the range of stunning gowns she brought to the house for me to view.

Suppressing a snort, I mused that Edward would have thought me beautiful if I'd worn a sack, but it was nice knowing I was sure to impress him.

Just as he impressed me...mesmerized me...overwhelmed me.

"Oh, my," I whispered, catching my first sight of my groom dressed in his morning suit. Handsome didn't even begin to describe him, and I fretted as Charlie and I made our way at a ridiculously slow human pace down the flower strewn aisle.

I will not pick my father up and run with him at vampire speed, I chanted, strengthening my resolve.

I wasn't nervous at all, even with everyone looking at me. I only had eyes for Edward.

Alice had created a floral wonderland amid the trees behind the house in keeping with the theme Edward and I had requested. We'd talked about getting married in our meadow, but it wasn't practical. This was our compromise. Alice had brought the meadow to the house, and for the reception, she'd planned a glittering, candle-lit fantasy land.

It was as over-the-top as I'd expected, especially considering there weren't that many of us present, but I didn't mind. Alice had been right, and she'd become the best girlfriend I'd always wanted. Rosalie's and my relationship was a little different, less girlie, and yet equally as strong. We'd bonded over shared experiences of finding ourselves in situations outside of our control, at the mercy of others. But I liked to think that the way I'd adapted so enthusiastically to life as a vampire had encouraged her to view her life with a little less cynicism.

Emmett adored her, the big goofball, and was definitely the life of any party. He could drive me a little crazy with his incessant teasing, but I couldn't help but love him. He was the big brother I'd never had but always wished for. Watching Edward beat the tar out of him was fu everything I'd hoped it would be. Sharing our vows was a magical, spiritually moving moment that I would treasure forever. We kissed for a little too long, gazed into each other's eyes like a pair of love-struck fools, and thankfully, didn't have to pretend to eat the multi-tiered cake. The speeches weren't terribly embarrassing, Alice having seen Renee's plan to sing and talking her out of it. Charlie reminded Edward that he owned a blowtorch, Emmett made an embarrassing comment about the wedding night and it being a good thing we didn't need to sleep, and Edward melted my heart with his words of love and devotion.

Dancing together later in the evening, I whispered in his ear, "Sweetheart, I've got a present for you."

"You're the only gift I'll ever want," he murmured, tugging me a little closer and ignoring the indulgent glances of our guests. His family was in on my secret, having gone to great lengths to keep him distracted while I'd practiced. I knew it would work, as I'd actually been trying it out on Edward for a while, shielding him from one person's thoughts at a time. Success came when he didn't respond to his name being mentally called or, in Emmett's case, he didn't react to a blatant provocation. I'd not tried it with more than two or three people at a time, but I was confident it would work with a larger number...at least I hoped.

One by one, I excluded his family members, then mine, then our guests, from our own private little bubble until Edward was completely shielded from the thoughts and mental chatter going on all around him.

"What?" He missed a step, looking around in stunned surprise.

"It's working," I cried, giving Alice a run for her money in the squealing department.

Everyone started to clap and cheer, which defeated the purpose a little, so I shushed them to silence. Edward stared at me in awe.

"You're doing this?" he whispered, and I nodded, grinning from ear to ear.

"I can hear the music and people talking, but that's it," he exclaimed, picking me up and whizzing me around in circles. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you! You amazing, wonderful, beautiful girl."

I was a little shocked by his response, and it made me wonder just how difficult his life must be, constantly being bombarded by the thoughts of others. Once I had the pattern established, it was almost effortless to keep Edward shielded, and I told him so.

"Are you saying that I can have mental silence whenever we're together? I don't have to listen in to the thoughts of others unless I want to or we need me to for the family's safety?"

"Exactly." I nodded, and from the way Edward's eyes shone, I knew he'd have been crying if that were possible.

The rest of the night passed in a happy blur. All I knew of our honeymoon plans was that we would be spending the next few days nearby before flying out by private jet to a secret destination...well, secret to me. Edward had taken great delight in keeping me in the dark, and no amount of begging or cajoling on my part had weakened his resolve.

"But what should I pack?" I'd grumbled, not willing to do what Alice wanted and leave it completely to her. She knew, of course, as did the rest of the family who would be joining us after a few weeks to begin our leisurely world tour.

Sighing, Edward had relented a little. "Pack for the sun," he'd said. "Bikinis...or not. I don't mind if you'd rather go skinny-dipping. We'll have complete privacy."

"Oh, that sounds like bliss," I'd admitted, earning a very pleased smile from my fiancé.

Saying goodbye hadn't been too bitter sweet, knowing we'd see everyone again in a month, though I'd still taken the time to hug Charlie and Renee and let them know how much I loved them.

Impatient for us to be alone, Edward had eventually dragged me away. He insisted on carrying me through the forest, making me wonder if we were going to our meadow. I wouldn't have minded, but when he showed me where we'd be spending our wedding night and the next few days—in our very own home—I was momentarily lost for words.

"It's perfect," I whispered, gazing awestruck at the fairytale cottage hidden amongst the towering trees of our own, private forest.

"I know how difficult it's been for you living in such close proximity to so many other couples. This way we can have our privacy, but we're close enough to the family to spend time with them whenever we want."

"Oh, Edward, thank you." I smiled as he carried me over the threshold of the home the family had built and decorated for us just a few miles away from the main house. I loved his family dearly, but I couldn't deny this was just what I'd been longing for...the best of both worlds.

"You're welcome, Mrs Cullen," he murmured, nuzzling my neck and giving me a tour of the house I would never forget.

It was quite some time before we made it to the bedroom. There were a lot of surfaces to christen, and we were both determined to enjoy all our "firsts" as a married couple.

Hours later when we lay replete in each other's arms, finally having made it onto the bed, I gave him my second present.

It took a little more concentration than shielding his mind from the thoughts of others, and I didn't know if it would work. But after a few moments, the light in Edward's eyes showed me my efforts were successful.

I love you, Edward, with all my heart, I thought his way, and he trembled in my arms.

"Oh, God...Bella...Bella..." He rained kisses on my face, and I giggled, overcome with relief.

You can hear me? You can really hear me?

"Yes!" he cried triumphantly, "and I was right. Your mind is the most precious place imaginable. Can you keep it up?"

Why? What did you have in mind? I answered, deliberately imbuing my thoughts with a sultry tone.

"This," he breathed, his lips joining with mine while his hands began an exploration of my body, responding to both my silent and murmured encouragement.

Every time I decided things couldn't get any better between us, Edward proved me wrong. Not that I was complaining. I hadn't chosen this life, but I knew without a doubt that if I'd not been turned into a vampire before arriving in Forks, I would have begged Edward to make me like him so that I could stay with him forever.

I love you, and I'm so proud to be married to you, I told my new husband as he loved me over and over, expertly and oh, so passionately. As night turned to day and then back to night again, I reveled in the knowledge that just as Edward was inside my body, he was also inside my mind...hearing how much I loved him...how much he meant to me...exactly what he did to me.

"Other than your giving yourself to me and becoming my wife, this is the best gift I've ever received," he murmured after hearing my perspective of our shared journey into bliss.

You are very, very welcome, I whispered into his mind, my mouth fully engaged elsewhere.

While it was incredibly intimate being able to share myself with my new husband this way, I hadn't finished exploring what my talent could do. It might take me a while, but I looked forward to the day when I could share Edward's thoughts just as he was sharing mine.

I'd arrived in Forks hunted and afraid, traumatized by what had been done to me...and what I'd done, and terrified of the future. But I'd be leaving confident in my ability to survive whatever this new life might bring. With Edward beside me, the support of both our families behind us, and a never-ending love filling our hearts, forever stretched wondrously ahead.

The End.

I hope you enjoyed the wrap up for Hunted in Seattle. Thank you so much to everyone who has taken the time to review at some point or another along this journey. To everyone else...I hope you enjoyed the story. I had a lot of fun writing it.

I won't be posting a new story for a little while, as I'm determined to finish the original story The Writer's Coffee Shop are interested in publishing. Hopefully, I'll be posting some one-shots for my other two stories to finish them off before too long.

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. I'm going to miss you guys like crazy. Feel free to PM me any time you'd like a chat. :D

xxx TLSue